December FET

2MomsHoping

Welcome @Colleen373 I hope this one is your lucky one

suziev3

@Colleen373 I am in the same boat as you with only one to transfer. It definitely adds a layer of pressure but trying to keep my hopes up too.  FX for both of us. 
@JamieH2000 Thanks!  I never had a fresh transfer, because I was at risk for ohss due to pcos. So it's a mystery as to if my lining could ever get thicker.  I just have to stay positive that 6.5 will be sufficient because there doesn't seem to be anything else I can do about it.  
@2MomsHoping I will also be on endometrin only.  I wonder what the differences between endometrin, PIO and patches are or why one protocol over another? I am definitely happy to skip the needles. 

laurad75

I have very inconveniently come down with a head cold.  I know I sound crazy but this won't effect my transfer right?  I'm imagining my body fighting off the cold and saying 'what the hell is this, get rid of it' since it wasn't expecting the embryo.  

For those of you who don't know me that well I'm usually a lot more rational and logical than this.  I just really really want this to work and feel like I should be healthy.  

DecemberDoll27

@laurad75 don't worry about the cold, just try to get as healthy as you can before Saturday! ( Plenty of fluids and rest) I had  severe Flu day before and day of my egg retrieval and I though my cycle would get cancelled for sure, but my RE was ok with that. The rule is that your fever must not get above 100 degrees. So if you are below that everything should be good to go. 

bethann1022

@laura75 I am sorry you have come down with a cold, believe it or not, so have I, and it's terrible!  My DH was sick for 3 days over the long weekend and of course yesterday I wake up feeling like I was run over by a truck.  But try not to worry, it shouldn't affect the transfer, just monitor for a fever or possible signs of an infection vs. a cold and make sure to inform your RE, just in case.  Also, do they put you on abc prior to transfer?  My last RE used to prescribe a z-pack every cycle for 5 days before transfer, just as a preventative measure.  Also, congrats on the 19 fertilized eggs, what an awesome number, hope you get great quality blasts in a few days to use this cycle and freeze for future children.  Your transfer is Saturday right?  Hopefully you'll feel much better by then!

@suziev3 I have never used endometrin but it is interesting how different clinics have different protocols, even for FET progesterone.  I don't think there are any patches for progesterone, endometrin and Crinone are both inserted vaginally and PIO IM, I have heard of a few supplementing with PO, but don't think it's used here in the US at all.

@2momshoping, how are you doing?  Hope you're hanging in there during this TWW.  They are so stressful but hopefully it is passing quickly for, and halfway to beta already, amazing! 

AFM, sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I developed an awful head cold and spent most of the day resting, although I did keep up with reading all of your updates.  

My appointment with the RE went great, so much better than I even expected.  He did try to convince us that we have 6 "excellent quality embryos" but when I asked him to review the actual ratings, we have two that are actually hatching blasts, a 5AA and 5BA, and then we have 3 expanded blasts, 4BBs and 1 that is still expanding nicely, a 3BB.  My DH did not know anything about ratings so I explained to him the different categories and how I would categorize them as 2 excellent, 3 good quality and 1 fair quality at this point.  However, I also know these ratings don't always matter and many people have luck with their lower rated ones, but also excited that we have two already hatching on their own as we have never had these before, just hoping they do well through the thaw.  

Better news is, he submitted treatment plan to insurance department last week and it was submitted to insurance on Monday, so we should have it any day now.  He did not have to wait for our consents as those just needed to be signed before we officially started the cycle.  So the irony of IF is that before the appt yesterday, I was feeling AF cramps and literally praying for AF to hold off a few more days to give us a better chance of getting insurance auth before my Day 1 to avoid a 2-3 week delay of needing BCP.  And then after the appt when he cleared me to start immediately on CD1, I started praying for it to arrive as soon as possibly, because FET will be tentatively scheduled 21 days after starting prep, so most likely week before Christmas.  Protocol is oral estrogen, aspirin 81mg daily and then add in PIO on CD15 if lining is ready.  No antibiotics, no steroids, but more bloodwork monitoring than my previous clinic who once started on an FET prep only had you come in on CD14 for lining check, this RE monitors estrogen levels 3 times prior to lining to check to be sure they are rising appropriately.  

So upon waking this morning, it is officially CD1, only at this point during this long journey would I be so excited to see it arrive.  I should be starting estrogen tonight and as long as we get insurance auth by end of week, my first b/w check will be Monday, otherwise we will be pushed back a day or two until that auth comes in.  Either way, so thrilled to get started and my expected date of transfer will be the Wednesday before Christmas it appears. 

laurad75

@bethann1022 Happy CD 1!  Let's get this party started!

I don't seem to have a fever - its just a stuffy nose right now.  There has been no talk of a z-pack so that isn't in the plan but hopefully I will feel better by then.  Lots of fluids and sleep should help!  Thanks gang!

[Deleted User]

Hey ladies, thought I'd officially ppop in over here, now.  Just stopping meds and waiting for AF to start FET No. 2...

AlohaKumu

:hugs: @BusinessWife Here's hoping for a fast, easy AF. (P.S. Holy ponies! 10000+ comment badge! You win TB)

DecemberDoll27

@BusinessWife welcome to the board! I am so sorry to see you here though! But let's hope that December will be the magical month for all of us!

2MomsHoping

@suziev3 they said since I was doing the transfer after the IVF they do the suppositories instead of PIO and I’ve only done the estrogen patches with when I’ve done a FET that didn’t have stims from IVF because well it does make sense that the IVF boosts the estrogen more than enough.  

@laurad75 I’ve had the same thing for more than one transfer I just want to echo what everyone else is saying in that neither of my clinics have cared as long as I didn’t have a high fever.  

@bethann1022 ugh I hate when REs use niceties to avoid discussing reality good for you for asking questions!  And that sounds like a really good embryo report to me .  Also thank you for asking about me.  The TWW is messing with my head for Saturday-Monday was all sunshine and rainbows, and then the fear/doubt crept in and I just can’t shake it.  But let me tell you I hadn’t realized I made it halfway to beta day that did make me feel a little better.  I’m happy terrified for the beta and also sick of waiting, there really isn’t any way to please me at this stage of the game…lol

msd1001

Hello I’m hoping to join in ! I’ve never been in a forum before but decided to reach out because infertility can be a lonely road especially when everyone around me is expecting.

Unexplained infertility- 3 failed IUIs. We moved onto IVF and had our first egg retrieval November 2nd , retrieved 25 eggs, 21 that were mature and 14 fertilized.  Unfortunately we could not do a fresh transfer due to OHSS.

We froze 4 embryos on day five and 6 more on day six so we have 10 frosties. I just had my ultrasound this morning and blood work to check my E2 levels....Everything is good and we will be doing our first FET on Tuesday, December 5. I am praying for a Christmas miracle ! 

2MomsHoping

Welcome @msd1001 GL on your transfer!  10 frosties is awesome! I have found the boards to be a great support through all of this.  It can be lonely but around here this is always someone who has had a similar experience and really just gets it.  Best wishes for a Christmas Miracle for you.  

hdf82

@2MomsHoping - Thanks so much ❤️ (Ps - my username updated, my old one from The Knot was Colleen373) just in case there is confusion!

@suziev3 yes fingers crossed - it’s my first round with IVF ( yours too?) and it’s been quite a roller coaster already

laurad75

Welcome @msd1001.  I have to agree with @2MomsHoping that I have found the boards very helpful and have kept me sane through this process.  Congratulations on your 10!  

DecemberDoll27

Welcome @msd1001, we are happy to have you here and cheer you on! 10 frosties is great! Are you transferring one or two?
@2MomsHoping I am sorry you are feeling doubts, I think it is all part of the experience unfortunately! When is your beta? Are you going to test before that?

AFM, transfer day is tomorrow and I am not optimistic already for some reason... Maybe I need to see the picture of the embie to believe that it might work after all. On my previous fresh transfer day we had two identical quality wise embryos and we transferred one and froze the other. Embryologist just picked one over another randomly  and it did not work. I am just hoping he chose the wrong one and my future take home baby was frozen. I know it is crazy to believe in destiny and fate but IF will do that to you. Also I am super emotional from PIO so I cried all morning for no reason. 

laurad75

@DecemberDoll27 I know its so hard to find the balance between staying positive and not getting your hopes up too much.  I'm doing the same.  Have your feelings and do what you can to go in for the transfer tomorrow feeling positive.  

adirat

@decemberdoll27 All those feelings are totally normal. I'm so hopeful for you that this is your take-home baby finally! It's December, after all, and you deserve a December Doll Baby! Good luck tomorrow!

DecemberDoll27

Thanks @adirat! How are you doing, friend? When is your next transfer?

adirat

@Decemberdoll27 I'm OK, thanks for asking. My November FET failed which was devastating for me. I needed some time to regroup, but I'm doing OK now. My next FET is scheduled for the end of December, barring something unforeseen. I had an endometrial scratch done to check for inflammation/infection and to hopefully help with implantation. So I've been lurking this thread a bit and cheering you guys on and hoping to join you later in December...

DecemberDoll27

@adirat I am so sorry about your failed FET, I can't even imagine how it must've felt! Stay strong and be good to yourself! I will be cheering you on at the end of the month, I promise! I am Russian originally so in our traditions December and early January are the time of miracles and wishes coming true ( I guess with Christmas and New Years it should be magic on steroids!). So let's just make wishes and hope for some holiday magic! I am sorry for the cheesiness but progesterone is not being kind to me! ( I am all drama and raw emotions here, lol) 

bethann1022

@2momshoping I am sorry you're having doubts creeping in, I do understand how difficult it gets as you get closer to that beta day.  After failed cycles and having to overcome so many obstacles, it is natural for each of us to try to protect ourselves the best way each of us individually knows how.  For some, it is testing frequently to be prepared for either result, for others it is riding the rollercoaster, trying to remain as hopeful as possible, but also protecting our emotions by convincing ourselves it will be negative, know the joy of a positive will be that much greater.  Each cycle, I battle with myself over which is easier for me, and to be honest, I do not fit cleanly in either bucket.  Having said that, I have so much hope for you, that this will be your take home baby, cycle buddy stay positive!

@DecemberDoll27 Unfortunately, I can also completely empathize with the fears and doubts that creep in before an FET after the first one failed.  My first one in January, I was so naive in believe that "everything looked perfect" and that it would work the first time, I even started planning and discussing with my DH many things pregnancy and baby related (shower, nursery, maternity leave etc). So that blow when it did not stick was just devastating.  The second time I remember negative thoughts creeping in, but when we saw that picture of the little embryo and it was transferred, the hope reappeared.  We see many others succeeding around us, so remember our time is coming.  Praying this little one is your fate and this time next year you'll be holding him or her in your arms.  

AFM, officially started the estradiol pills last night, my nurse was finally able to speak with my RE and he agreed I could start; we are just hoping that we get approval by Friday evening so I can go for my monitoring early Monday, just an estrogen check and if not we will skip it and my first check will be next Friday.  Hopefully, barring complications also, we will be on track for a transfer the week before Christmas.  

Hard to believe that December officially starts tomorrow already, hoping for holiday miracles for all of us!

JamieH2000

@bethann1022- welcome and I really hope December is your month! That is great that you can get your transfer in before Christmas! Does your clinic shut down? it sounds like some don't based on the time of some ladies on this board. Unfortunately all the clinics in my area do, it makes timing in December so stressful! I really related to what you said about testing or not testing. I don't think I fit into either bucket also, and I am debating what I should do with this cycle, especially with family events and work events during tww....

@2momshoping- Hang in there! I know its hard to have hope the whole tww, so thats what we are here for! We will keep the hope up for you!

@businesswife- so sorry about your chemical Just devastating. But so glad you are able to get going again right away and hopefully transfer in Dec!!

@decemberdoll27- Good luck tomorrow! The emotions of ups and downs are so hard in this journey. I think this is what it must be like to have bipolar disorder, some days are so good and some days are so low. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a high day with the transfer and you can keep that high as long as possible!! I think I am leaning towards transferring two, because I just can't keep being on this rollercoaster anymore.. 1.5 years of IVF, cancelled IVF, and cancelled transfers has just done a number on me.. so i know how you feel.

AFM- liking was 7.8 yesterday and follicles almost mature, so going in tomorrow monring. Hoping lining is over 8mm and we can trigger tomorrow night for a transfer next friday! Part of me is excited, and part of me is terrified something will still go wrong and we won't even get to transfer... again... 

DecemberDoll27

@JamieH2000 I have everything crossed for you for trigger tomorrow and uneventful week before transfer! At some point everything should work out, right? I feel you about transferring two. TW after my recent CP end TW* I was ready to just put all three of our frosties in at one time and hope for the best. But my RE and DH are both against that idea... ( cowards, if you ask me....  ) I will still have two frosties after this transfer so if we fail again I will try to convince DH and RE to transfer them both together next. (I am ashamed of myself, I already think that this transfer will fail and plan for that... ) 

adirat

@Decemberdoll27 In that case I will wish for a little Snegurochka for you!!!

JamieH2000

@decemberdoll27- thank you! I agree, at some point it has to work out eventually! On your point about transferring three, there was girl on the board a while ago that had like 3 or 4 failed transfers and put her last 3 lowest quality in and got triplets! So I think i'll be sticking with two.. even though two obviously has risks too. I think its good to always have a game plan for your next step, and thinking about that doesn't mean you are planning for this one to fail. I really really hope this is it and I am excited for your transfer tomorrow! I think you will start the board off with good news!!

DecemberDoll27

@adirat and @JamieH2000 thank you so much for your hope and kind words. December will be great! 

DecemberDoll27

I am also a little nervous about the thawing process, I hope my little one gets through that ok tomorrow! Fingers crossed! Anybody knows what the success rate for the thaw is now days? I am afraid to Google things myself at this point

radmom27

@BusinessWife I'm so happy to see you on the December board but also am sad that you are here.  I'm sorry that November was such a rough month.  I admire your positivity. 
@DecemberDoll27 Good luck on your transfer tomorrow!!!  The last time I looked up the thaw success rates for FETs, it was a really good number.  
@bethann1022 Hoping you get your insurance approval ASAP.  Having insurance is amazing but also at times a pain with approvals and waiting.  
@adirat I'm so sorry about your November FET but I'm glad to hear that you are on track to transfer again in December.  Good luck!
@msd1001 Welcome!!
@2MomsHoping I hope the 2WW is treating you well.  I find it is the time I truly go insane.  How are you holding up?
AFM...after lots of ups and downs it looks like I'm on track for transfer Tuesday 12/5. Up to this point, I haven't been too nervous but I am definitely nervous now.  Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

laurad75

GL today @DecemberDoll27

Here's hoping we are the Christmas Miracle board!

adirat

Good luck @DecemberDoll27 ! Start December off right!

AlohaKumu

I can’t believe December is finally here! I hope all goes well for you, @DecemberDoll27.

ETA I have a blood draw this morning to check my levels. As long as everything looks good, we are on track for a FET in two weeks!

bethann1022

@DecemberDoll27 Good luck with your transfer today, btw I asked my RE about thaw survival percentages and he said, a good lab is over 99% so I'd say one less thing for us to worry about!

@laurad75 can't wait for your transfer tomorrow and to hear update on your final blast count.  

I also cannot believe December is here, so exciting, and hoping this month brings all of us the joy and happiness we  desire and deserve!  

AFM, still struggling with this awful head cold that I think may be progressing to a sinus infection.  I contacted my PCP today to see if I should go on an antibiotic.  Since starting this IVF process over a year, my immune system has really taken a nosedive.  I used to be able to fight off anything, even if my DH would be sick, I would never catch it.  And if I did get a slight cold, it would resolve in a day or two.  But now it seems like they progress into sinus infections or bronchitis each time, lingering for many days or even weeks at a time.  Just glad I didn't do a fresh transfer last Saturday and also have almost 3 weeks still until transfer to hopefully allow my body enough time to physically recover.  

Good news is, we are officially on track with this FET prep, two more days of estrogen 1mg twice daily and will then be increasing and blood draws on Monday and Friday next week to check estrogen levels.  Looking good for week before Christmas, fingers crossed my hormones and lining cooperate.  

I do have a question though, has anyone had a really short or light AF after egg retrieval?  I thought in the past, my previous two were heavier than usual, but might be confusing that with after my FETs because of the progesterone. AF started on Wednesday (9 days after ER) and was heavy for 24 hour and then yesterday got progressively lighter and today is barely there.  I was a little nervous that perhaps starting the estrogen on CD1 instead of CD3 as I have done previously may have caused it to stop and I obviously don't want to have any old lining remaining from my fresh cycle for this upcoming FET.  I am going to ask my RN later when she calls me with instructions, but figured I'd see if anyone experienced anything similar on here.  

suziev3

@msd1001 Hello. I am also pretty new to this forum (or any forum).  Only a very few supportive people in my life know about my IF journey.  So it's been nice to have people to talk to who can relate and compare notes with here.  FX for you on Dec 5. 
@hdf82 Yes. My first IVF retrieval was Sept 1 and I will finally have my first transfer on Dec 7. Quite the roller coaster.  The doctors make it sound so much more straight forward than it is.  I get that they don't want patients to worry unnecessarily but it's also very disappointing when things don't go as planned. 
@DecemberDoll27 Hope everything goes well today!  

latvaughanash

@DecemberDoll27 Thinking of you! Fingers crossed for your transfer and that everything goes as smooth as possible. Mine is Sunday and I still can't believe how fast it came! You and I are very much the same in our thought process and fighting against assuming it won't work, so I'm really hoping this month proves us both WRONG! 

2MomsHoping

@DecemberDoll27 HAPPY TRANSFER DAY! 

@bethann1022 Yay for you in getting started hope that approval comes through for you today.  Sorry your still feeling crummy.  I swear IF treatments just weaken the immune system I always seem to get sick too.  AF I had after IVF#2 freeze-all cycle was only a few days and only 2 regular flow days.  Though I tend to have light-ish periods to begin with so it wasn’t out of the ordinary for me.  It definitely doesn’t hurt to ask/check with your nurse!

@JamieH2000 I hope your lining was looking good today FX for 8mm!

@DecemberDoll27, @Bethann1022, @JamieH2000, and @radmom27 and anyone else who I may have missed.  Thank you all so much for being my cheerleaders in my TWW funk. 

Beta is scheduled for Sunday.  I haven’t tested yet.  It’s been a crazy week at work and I didn’t want disappointment to happen and be non-functional.  Will probably test tonight or tomorrow morning, I’m not sure I’m still dragging my feet a little.  Scared to be disappointed but also wanting some time over the weekend to process before going back to work on Monday. 

DecemberDoll27

Thank you everybody for your support! I am very loopy from Valium so I will keep it short. Transfer went well, beta is on the 11th... And I am PUPO! I will post more when my head clears. Valium is officially my favorite drug!

laurad75

@2MomsHoping It's so hard to stay calm while waiting.  You are doing a great job. 

AFM: I just had a pretty amazing meltdown over something so simple.  I have been super chill and then all of a sudden I lost it.  My clinic called and told me my transfer was scheduled for 9:30 and I could go ahead and call the acupuncture center to arrange my pre/ post sessions.  I was all excited for an early time and called the acu place and they told me I couldn't do it before bc my time was too early.  So I immediately started to cry and she told me I could come in tonight but I didn't want to come in tonight.  I want pre/ post transfer.  I called the clinic back and asked them to either tell me I could go to acu before or push back my appt and the coordinator I needed to talk to was at lunch.  I became increasingly unhinged but thankfully aware that I was overreacting due to the anxiety of it all.  This went on for a half hour and then the coordinator called me back and told me I could come in at 9:45 giving me plenty of time for pre acu.  I then scheduled acu for 9am and now everything is fine but holy crap I was not okay. 

Oh and I'm at work so I had to close my office door to privately have my fit. 

adirat

@DecemberDoll27 Woohoo! PUPO! So glad it went smoothly!

@laurad75 Girl, you have earned every second of a fit you want! I'm glad it got worked out.

AlohaKumu

OMG that gif, @laurad75. I had the same issue last week when they moved all the FET appointments from the morning to the afternoon. My acupuncturist had already rearranged her entire schedule for the morning and I thought for sure that she wouldn't be able to do the pre/post treatments. I didn't want to have anyone else since I'm so comfortable with her. But she's a saint of a human being and is making it work. Your fit is completely justified! I'm glad it worked out in the end.

JamieH2000

@decemberdoll27- congrats on being PUPO!! Soo hopeful for you! and now the tww begins... Hope you can stay busy and it goes fast!!

@2momshoping- FX for your beta on sunday! I think its going to be great and its going to start us all off for a great month! thinking of you and can't wait to hear!!

@laurad75- so sorry you had to deal with that! Logisitics on such a BIG day are super stressful. Sometimes I cry from things like that during this process because its the only way to let out stress. Hopefully you are feeling better now and tomorrow is going to be AMAZING! Please share all the details with us!

@alohakumu- Yay for good levels and staying on track! We will be close to transfer buddies

@bethann1022- sorry you are sick! Lots of prayers that you feel better soon. I am finally getting over a 1.5 week cold and its not fun! FX for a smooth path ahead to transfer!!

AFM- well just got the call and we are triggering tonight!! lining got to 10.6, so just need to go in monday to confirm ovulation and then transfer will be next Friday. Getting excited for my first transfer in almost a year!!